Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-04-21
THE FISH QUESTION.
Great Britain's Ofer-Salisbury Proposes
to do Away with the Pecuniary Indem.
nifty.
LONDON. Anril %

LONDON, April 20
II is officially stated in London TODAY ths,
Lord Salisbury, in dispatch sen. TO Wash.
lngton March oath, said:
Inc British government, understanding the
action OF the United States in denonncing the
nshery articles of the treaty of Washington
to be, IN great degree, the result of dissp-
pointment at being called upon to pay fi.
100000 under the Halifax fisheries award
offers to revert to the old condition of affairs
without pecunisry indemnity, which offer, il
trusts, will commend itself to the American
government as being based upon that spirit
OF good will aud generosity which should ami,
mate two great and kindred nations, whose
origin, language and institutions constitute as
many bonds of unity and concord.
WASHINGTON, April 20.
Ihe Secretary of State declines 10 either
confirm or deny the statement cabled from
London to the effect that Lord Salisbury has
sent dispatch to this government, on the
subject of the fisheries, offering 10 revert TO
the old conditions of affairs without pecuni.
airy indemnity. Secretary Bayard also de-
cllnes to express any opinion with regard 10
the subject matter of the dispatch as cabled
The subject matter of despatch is not ex.
actly news in diplomatic circles, the same
proposition having emenated from Cana
persons incline to the opinion The offer re-
terred to in the cablegram has been thus in.
directly and unoffciaslv made a "feeler" to
ascertain in advance of actual tender how
such proposition would be received by the
American people. AS representatives Of the
United States on the commission that nego-
tlated the treaty of Washington and Halifax
the commission which fixed the award made
to England for the use of Canadian inshore
fisheries expressly denied the privileges ac.
corded American vessels of fishing in Cana
dian waters, was more valuable than the con-
cession made to Canadian fishermen of a
like privilege in the waters of the United
States and the free entry of their fish. 1t is
safe to assume that the department of state
never entertained any idea of renewing the
treaty of Washington with the understanding
that cash indemnity was again to be paid to
Great Britain for the right TO enjoy the in
shore fishing of Canadian waters.
Secretary Bayard TODAY said that he was
glad to note the increasing interest taken in
the subject, He felt that the people
of the country outside of Massachu-
sets had never realized its importance or
appreciated its gravity of the alternative
left to the administration of the declaration
OF nop-intercOurse If it failed to effect a
peaceable adjustment of the difference be-
tween the United States and Great Britain
respecting the construction of the treaty
rights of our fishermen. The negotiations
with Great Britain are progressing and the
secretary hopes they will result in har
monious and satisfactory understanding be-
tween that country and the United States.
SO many applications for information and
copies of the treaty of Washington poured
in upon the department since the adjourn
ment of Congress that the 10000 copies of
that treaty printed for the use of the depart
ment has been exhausted and fresh supply
has been ordered.
OTTAWA, April 20.
| Sir John Mcdonald said tonight that there
was some foundstion tor the report cabled
| from England regarding the British govern
ment's latest proposition for the settlement
of the fisheries question, although it was not
strictly accurate as to terms.
| 1t is understood here that the proposals in
the question originated with the imperial au-
thorities as the cabinet minister said tonight
that they differed from the Canadian propo-
sails. The feeling in Parliamentary circles
is that the latest proposition would on the
whole be acceptable to the Canadians.